Step 1: Understand the Competition.

Q: What defines a "social venture”?

A: There are many definitions of “social venture.” For the Competition, a social venture is defined as a business that:
  • Plans to be financially sustainable or profitable; whether tax-exempt or not, it must be self-sufficient on its earned revenue
  • Has a quantifiable social and/or environmental bottom line incorporated into its mission and practices

Q: What evaluation criteria will be used?

A: Plans will be judged according to the feasibility of the business concept, as well as feasibility and scope of the venture’s stated social and/or environmental purpose. For more information, please see Judging Criteria.

Q: How many plans will make it to the final round?

A: From Southeast Asia Round, we will send up to two finalists to the finals.

Q: Must the student be an MBA student, or is another master’s degree student acceptable?

A: Each entrant team must include a graduate business student from any business school or related field in the world or an individual who has graduated from a graduate business program within the past two years (from the date that the plan is first submitted). The graduate business student must be actively involved in the venture (ie, actively participating in development of the business plan and presentation or actively working on the business).

Q: How many teams from one school may enter?

A: There are no limits to the number of applicants from a particular school.

Q: Can a team enter other business plan competitions?

A: Yes.



Step 2: Submit an Executive Summary

Q: Can I submit my full plan if I don’t enter an executive summary?

A: No, you must submit and executive summary. The strongest executive summaries will be invited to submit a full business plan. These ventures will also be matched with a mentor.

Q: How do I submit an executive summary?

A: Visit Executive Summary Round Guideline and send your executive summary file to gsvc.sea@gmail.com within 8 January 2010

Q: Will I receive feedback?

A: Teams will receive comments and feedback by mail, fax or e-mail.

Q: Could you explain to me about social impact assessment?

A: You can find the guidelines for Social Impact Assessment, Social Impact FAQs and our SIA examples.



Step 3: Full Business Plan Submission.

You will be requested to submit a full business plan only if you are selected for the Southeast Asian Final.

Q: Do you have any information about how to write a business plan?

A: Yes. Take a look at our Business Plan Suggested Format.

Q: How do I submit my business plan?

A: Submit electronically to gsvc.sea@gmail.com and send ten paper copies to the address shown on the Contact Us page if you would like all hard copies to be color-printed.

Q: Will I receive feedback?

A: Teams will receive comments and feedback by mail, fax or e-mail.

Q: Does the business plan page restriction (30 pages) include the appendix?

A: The Business Plan must be limited to 30 pages (typed and double-spaced, #12 font, and 1-1-1-1 inch margins) of text, charts, and diagrams.

This includes financials or other appendices which are limited to 5 pages

Q: Are resumes mandatory for Advisory Board members?

A: No. However, resumes are useful in showing how the advisor’s skills relate to the industry, market, strategy, operations, etc. of the product/service you are pitching. The same might be accomplished with a summary about who the advisors are and how their knowledge is relevant or how it fills gaps on management team.

Q: Can resumes exceed one page?

A: Resumes should be limited to two pages per team member.

Q: Should there be a link between the discount rates for FROI and SROI?

A: There is no inherent link between SROI and FROI rates, although the business’s fortunes impact both measurements. The SROI discount rate should represent the risk or uncertainty inherent in the assumptions about returns.



Step 4 (for semi-finalists only): Submit your business plan for final rounds of judging.

Q: Do I submit both electronic and paper copies of my business plan for the semi-final and final rounds?

A: Thammasat Business School will communicate submission guidelines before the semi-final and final rounds.

Q: Do I make edits to my plan between the semi-final and final rounds?

A: Entrants are expected to modify their plans between rounds, although they may not be able to do everything the feedback suggests.

Q: Do I need to present my business plan if I make it to the final round?

A: Yes, you must present your business plan in person to a panel of judges. The dates for the Final Event are available on the website.



Still have questions?

Send an e-mail to the competition organizers at gsvc.sea@gmail.com